Evaluate order accuracy, on-time-in-full (OTIF), average fulfillment lead time, inventory accuracy, receiving turnaround, and cost-per-order. Also review SLA definitions for exceptions, chargebacks, and penalties, plus reporting cadence and root-cause visibility to ensure continuous improvement.

Pricing typically includes storage (per pallet or per sqft), receiving and putaway, pick/pack per unit or per order, packing materials, and outbound freight. Accessorials (kitting, returns handling, special packaging), minimums, and seasonal surcharges materially affect cost-to-serve—request modeled scenarios by SKU velocity and seasonality.

Require real-time inventory APIs, order routing and split-fulfillment logic, EDI or API connectivity for carriers, rate shopping, returns management, and dashboards for SLA monitoring. Native or well-documented integrations reduce go-live time and prevent inventory split and oversell scenarios.

Prioritize proximity to major highways, port and rail drayage routes, and regional last-mile carrier hubs to minimize transit time and freight spend. Assess local labor pools, peak season labor availability, and nearby service providers for equipment, cross-dock, and expedited transport to maintain service consistency.